Boycott Scotland

This year marks the “Year of Homecoming” in Scotland, a program designed to attract those of Scottish descent to visit their ancestor’s homeland. The vast majority of those they are hoping to attract come from the United States. With the recent release of Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, the Libyan terrorist convicted for the Lockerbie bombing that took the lives of 270 people including 189 Americans, it is time to rethink our support of Scotland’s tourism and economy.

The U.S. has been good for Scottish tourism in general, accounting for about 260 million pounds a year in revenues from American tourists. The U.S. is the source of the greatest number of overseas tourists to Scotland, making up 24% of tourists from outside the British Isles. Ironically, it was a plane full of tourists returning home from Great Britain to the U.S. that was brought down by al-Megrahi and his fellow Libyan terrorists.

It was devastating enough for the families of Pan Am Flight 103 victims to see the hero’s welcome that greeted Megrahi upon his return to Libya. But then they learned that the release was a crucial part of ongoing oil and gas deal negotiations between Scotland and Libya. A convicted mass murderer was released to freedom and cheers in order that government could negotiate the best energy deal from Libya.

The website BoycottScotland.com is calling for a tourist boycott of Scotland as well as a boycott of Scottish products. A boycott is the only way to demonstrate opposition to the Scottish government's action. Since their decision was motivated by purely economic interests -- without considering its emotional impact -- it is only fitting that we respond in kind. They wanted to get a better deal from Libya? It'll cost them in money from the U.S. It's that simple.

The boycott Scotland movement is already having an impact. According to Bloomberg, "Visit Scotland, the government-funded agency promoting tourism, received e-mails from Americans saying they plan to cancel holidays and staff have been preparing for a backlash after the release of al-Megrahi, spokeswoman Alison Robb said."

Is this locking the barn door after the horse escaped? Well, yes, to some extent. Obviously, nothing done now can change what happened. But that doesn't mean you do nothing. Joining the boycott movement is a way to take a stand. It doesn't take much effort -- buy domestic whisky instead of Scottish, travel to Dublin instead of Glasgow.

The Scottish government displayed callous insensitivity to the memory of those who died and those their loved ones, in approving the release. What makes their decision even worse is the fact that it was spurred not by “compassion” for the dying terrorist but by purely economic interests.

To quote everyone's favorite whipping boy, George Bush, you're either with us or you're with the terrorists. Right now, Scotland made a very unfortunate alliance. If they're not with us, we shoudn't be with them.